PET Imaging of Fibroblast Activation in Carotid and Coronary Atherosclerotic Disease
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a fibroblast-specific marker expressed in atherosclerosis, associated with endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and a rupture-prone plaque phenotype. This study aims to evaluate in-vivo fibroblast activation in carotid and coronary atherosclerotic diseases with FAPI PET and its correlation with histological vulnerability and clinical outcome.
• For the carotid stenosis group: patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis with \>50% stenosis on carotid CTA; OR patients with unsymptomatic carotid stenosis with \>70% stenosis on carotid CTA
• For CAD group: patients with stable ischemic heart disease OR acute coronary syndrome, including ST-elevation MId, non-ST elevation MI, and unstable angina
• signed informed consent